Community Reviews

Cleaver continues to interest intrigue me. It would be easy for me to simply label him a political chameleon, a lackadaisical wanderer, a petulant opportunist. In fact, if I trusted this autobiography, I might be tempted to do so. But this book rings false. After the complexity of Soul on Ice, this feels like Eldridge Cleaver abridged. I plan on doing more digging to see the facets of this man that weren't cataloged in his brief pages on Algeria, France, and Christianity. There's more to be learCleaver continues to interest intrigue me. It would be easy for me to simply label him a political chameleon, a lackadaisical wanderer, a petulant opportunist. In fact, if I trusted this autobiography, I might be tempted to do so. But this book rings false. After the complexity of Soul on Ice, this feels like Eldridge Cleaver abridged. I plan on doing more digging to see the facets of this man that weren't cataloged in his brief pages on Algeria, France, and Christianity. There's more to be learned here... ...more

Thought this was a great follow up to Soul on Ice. Had a Christian theme throughout this book and is sort of a redemption story. While it did not go into the Panthers as much as Soul on Ice, it focused more on his travels and his outlook on life as well as people he had befriended on his journey.

Librarians here need to fix this entry. SOUL ON FIRE is a completely different book by Cleaver, and is not a repackaging of SOUL ON ICE. It was first published in 1978 by Word Books out of Waco, Texas. The ISBN is 0849900468.

A very interesting read, this autobiography discusses Cleaver's years in exile in Algeria and France. Many on the Left were extremely critical of Cleaver when this was written after his return to the U.S. After the better part of a decade in exile, Cleaver came back to stand trial after having what he describes as a religious experience in France. He had been given political asylum there but decided to return and face the music after accepting Jesus as his savior. While as an atheist this narra A very interesting read, this autobiography discusses Cleaver's years in exile in Algeria and France. Many on the Left were extremely critical of Cleaver when this was written after his return to the U.S. After the better part of a decade in exile, Cleaver came back to stand trial after having what he describes as a religious experience in France. He had been given political asylum there but decided to return and face the music after accepting Jesus as his savior. While as an atheist this narrative seems contrived to me, I do find the criticisms he has of the "revolutionary" countries he dealt with in exile (Cuba, Algeria, North Korea, Vietnam, and China) compelling. While it may argued that Cleaver simply exchanged one form of zealotry for another (he later endorsed Ronald Reagan for president and even ran as a republican himself), it does not in my mind negate his criticisms of the totalitarian nature of the communist republics he lived and traveled in. True, the racist conditions in the U.S.A. dictated drastic action in the minds of many in the Black community here in those times, but as Cleaver points out, he could at least get into a gun battle with the cops here and live to tell about it. Something that would have never happened in Algeria. ...more

Definitely a very interesting read. From the blurb, I thought this was going to be some kind of highly religious book. Instead, I got an intriguing insight into a period and a struggle that is rather foreign to me.

I think Cleaver is not a very good writer, he seems to jump around a lot and does not really explain most things. I understand that some of the details are not the focus of this book, but it would have been interesting to read more about some of the details in his escape plans. Also, wDefinitely a very interesting read. From the blurb, I thought this was going to be some kind of highly religious book. Instead, I got an intriguing insight into a period and a struggle that is rather foreign to me.

I think Cleaver is not a very good writer, he seems to jump around a lot and does not really explain most things. I understand that some of the details are not the focus of this book, but it would have been interesting to read more about some of the details in his escape plans. Also, without a proper knowledge of this period in history, some of the events and references just flew over my head - then again, that is my problem, not necessarily the author's....more

I will preface my review by noting that this book was my formal introduction to Cleaver rather than his critically acclaimed preceding book 'Soul on Ice'. This book briefly described Cleaver's childhood, incarceration and participation in The Black Panther Party, the focus of the book revolves around him leaving the United States and subsequent exile in Algeria & France, return to the US, and his conversion to Christianity. It would be easy for me to scrutinize some of the decisions CleaverI will preface my review by noting that this book was my formal introduction to Cleaver rather than his critically acclaimed preceding book 'Soul on Ice'. This book briefly described Cleaver's childhood, incarceration and participation in The Black Panther Party, the focus of the book revolves around him leaving the United States and subsequent exile in Algeria & France, return to the US, and his conversion to Christianity. It would be easy for me to scrutinize some of the decisions Cleaver made from the comfort and safety that I presently enjoy. My intentions are to read 'Soul on Ice' to get a better context of what experiences made Cleaver the man he became. ...more